Safety Issues In Indian Construction Industry

Since each person’s perception can be described as their reality, I thought I would share my perceptions, on safety issues in Indian Construction, especially in the Metro Construction scenario.

Remember, these are my perceptions based on personal experience and observations over the past five years; it does not mean it will fit precisely with your views or may not be accurate in all metro projects.

Challenges in Implementing Safe Workplaces

So here we go, my observations and perceptions:

1. Employer-Worker Relations

Lower-level workers/labourers are seen as a commodity, not a resource. They are treated as something easily replaced, without actual value and shown little or no respect and often with little or no humanity, especially when it comes to labour accommodation. (In fact, I have seen construction machinery receiving better treatment than many workers get).

2. Limited Resources for implementing Safety Plans

Low project bids often mean little or no consideration for the cost of Safety, except to provide a safety team, rudimentary safety training (mandated by the contract) and supply of PPE.

A solution would be to make safety an independent bid, supporting the primary project bid. This way, the contractor’s safety commitment would have increased transparency, and thus…